What is the maximum speed limit on highways in China?
2 Answers
Highway speed limits require a minimum speed of no less than 60 kilometers per hour and a maximum speed of no more than 120 kilometers per hour. Relevant information is as follows: 1. Speed: On highways, the maximum speed for small passenger vehicles must not exceed 120 kilometers per hour, for other motor vehicles it must not exceed 100 kilometers per hour, and for motorcycles it must not exceed 80 kilometers per hour. 2. Lanes: For roads with 2 lanes in the same direction, the minimum speed in the left lane is 100 kilometers per hour; for roads with 3 or more lanes in the same direction, the minimum speed in the leftmost lane is 110 kilometers per hour, and the minimum speed in the middle lane is 90 kilometers per hour. If the speed indicated by road speed limit signs differs from the above lane speed regulations, drivers should follow the speed indicated by the road speed limit signs.
On Chinese highways, the maximum speed limit is 120 kilometers per hour. I've driven many routes myself, such as the Beijing-Shanghai Expressway or the Shenyang-Haikou Expressway, and this 120 standard is really common. However, speed limits are reduced in some special sections, like mountainous areas or tunnels where it might be 100 or even 80. I remember once driving on the highway in heavy fog with low visibility, and I voluntarily reduced my speed to 90 to avoid the risk of rear-end collisions. Obeying speed limits isn't just about avoiding fines—it's also about safety. At 120 km/h, the braking distance can exceed 50 meters, more than double that in urban areas. New drivers, in particular, should develop the habit of maintaining a safe following distance and not tailgating. Additionally, speed cameras are installed throughout the route, and speeding tickets start at 200 yuan—hardly worth the risk. I recommend using mobile navigation for real-time speed limit alerts.
